Robert A. Wachler, age 68, of Pleasant Ridge, Michigan, passed away at home on February 21, 2022. The son of Barbara and Norman Wachler, Rob was born on May 26, 1953 in Detroit, Michigan. In June of 1971 he graduated from Berkley High School and attended Swarthmore College, graduating in 1975. Afterwards he joined the United States Peace Corps. He taught English for two years in Tunisia where he met Judy Coomes. The two returned to Detroit in 1977 and married in 1978. This past December 16, they celebrated 43 years together.
Rob and Judy lived in Huntington Woods, Michigan for eleven years where their family grew with the birth of Sarah in 1981 and Amy in 1987. They moved to Pleasant Ridge in 1990 and have remained there ever since. They were active parents at the Detroit Waldorf School, Oakland Steiner School, Ferndale High School and Mercy High School and finally at Miami University (Ohio).
A grandson and son of clothiers, Rob joined the family business, Osmuns, in 1977. He continued leading the chain of seven metro-Detroit stores until 1990. At that point, the Wachler family closed the business, and Rob went to manage the men’s department at Jacobson’s in Birmingham. From there he accepted a position with the Tom James Company as a personal clothier. This last, 25-year position, afforded him the opportunity to develop and serve an ever-growing clientele who were drawn to Rob’s warmth, kindness and interest in their lives as much as they were to the high-quality product he had to offer.
Using his familiarity with the men’s clothing business as a platform, Rob launched the non-profit “Threads for Success,” in 2006. Through this organization, over 1000 high school seniors received suits, shirts, ties, as well as education in caring for their business clothing, professional use of social media and preparation for business and academic interviews. Over time, as the program expanded, many young men also received academic scholarships. Rob loved his many connections with his clients, his friends and especially with family. Spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren was a deep joy for him.
Rob is survived by his wife, Judy, his mother, Barbara of Southfield, MI, his sister, Karen of San Francisco, CA, his daughters, Sarah Philip of Columbus, OH, and Amy Wachler of Boston, MA and Amy’s fiancé, Francis Sams of Boston, MA. Rob was the delighted grandfather of three: Jack, Samantha and Miles.
The family held a private funeral in their home. A celebration of Rob’s life is planned for Memorial Day weekend 2022.
Those wishing to honor Rob's memory are invited to contribute to his non-profit, Threads for Success.
